It’s almost time to start heading home – today’s the day we begin the journey.

But since the flight isn’t ’til late, we still had one last chance to get out and about. Breakfast was at a cafe where I can now say we finally met a surly Canadian 🙂 But, looks like she was only person trying to keep a whole cafe running so I can’t blame her really. And despite all that the coffee was fantastic.

For our last hurrah in Vancouver we decided to take ourselves off to Stanley Park, to see the Aquarium. Just take two buses and easy-peasy, you’re there, no dramas. The Aquarium was I better than I expected to be – or at least, bigger. The highlight would have to be the Sea Otters who were just hilarious. The Prairie Dogs of the sea I think. When we first saw them they were pretty relaxed, just drifting around, but as it came closer and closer to to feeding time (and time for a talk they gave about them) they became more and more energetic, their clocks are very well in sync coz they knew exactly what was about to come. A few things I learned – sea otters fur became very valuable in the past – literally worth its weight in gold. In Vancouver, they successfully overhunted the population, down to … Zero. As a result, There was no one to control the number of sea urchins so they had a population explosion. And because of that, they in turn destroyed the kelp forests which are on the biodiversity keystones (ie super important) for the area.

Fortunately, in 1969-72 they were able to import 89 otters from Alaska, and happily this was a great success with the population rebuilding slowly but surely, and the kelp forests returning. Another fun fact – Sea Otters have about a million hairs per square inch, compared to about 1,000 for the average human. Sea Otters also have little pockets under their arms, which they use to store their favourite rocks – useful for smashing shells on. Mind you, they have the same biting force as a black bear, so they could probably get by without the rocks if they had to. Oh and lastly, when otter babies are born, the mum often wraps them up in a kelp blanket. Awwww….

As we wandered about it was surprising to see a Sloth at an aquarium, its enclosure didn’t feel too big, but I guess moving at the usual sloth pace maybe it’d take a week to get from one side to the other. There were a few reptiles there as well.

We also went to see the ‘4D Experience’ – with snazzy 3D glasses, and an extra D (ooh, Matron!), which was rumble effects and wind effects, even a little spray of water when an animal fell into a river for example. A bit frivolous but fun enough for 15 minutes.

Sure enough, I took lots of pictures., and videos. The videos don’t seem to be uploading here in the airport so will try them later.

After that we hopped on the bus, and the other bus, to get back to the room.

Now for the hard part – packing the suitcases to come back home. Easy enough to do physically – emotionally, maybe not! Vancouver’s a pretty cool city – quite green, good vibes, but still a lot of people without a home, who I hope the city continues to help. We left our usual calling card, and there was still time for one last sunset pic from the balcony, before our car came to take us back to the airport.

At the airport, check-in was lovely, and we were through security within minutes, there was no queue at all, so that was a pleasant surprise. So now all that’s left to do is wait in the lounge until it’s time for our flight. The Skyteam Lounge isn’t too bad, sandwiches, soup, and someone making personalised wonton soup on demands – a little bit fancy! There’s also cakes, but no ice cream – can’t have everything! :-). But certainly a pleasant enough place to wait. So for now that’s it for Canada – no more poutine, no more buses that say SORRY, no more Eh, eh?

Next stop though … South Korea!